Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-07-09
JESS.
ByH. RIDER HAGGARD.
EuRsrot 'NPs solonaoessuee 5ksEle.
fcoSTsuED.)
CHAPTER yyIu.
II NE DRIFT OF THs WAL.

afternoon there had been a little breeze but
this had now died away, and the sitting air
felt as thick as though they were breathing
cream Even the two Beers seemed to feel
the heat, for they were both outstrctched on
the grass few PAGES to the left, to all ap-
pearances fast asleep. As for the horses, they
were thoroughly done up-too much 50 to
eat-and hnbbled along as well as their knee
halters would allow, daintily picking
Inouthful here and mouthful there The
only person vino did not seem TO mind WAS
the Znlu H1uti, who sat on an antheap near
the horses, in the fun glare Of the setting sun
and comfortably droned out little song NJ
his own invention, for Xulus are As great for
improvisins the Italians.
g john, said jess at last 'where do YOU
suppose we going TO camp tonight! If
we follow the main road we shall reach Stan
derton in an hour ~
Il don't suppose that they viii go near
Stander'ton,7 he said II suppose that we
shall eros, the Vaal by another drift and
have 10 -veldt, it"
Just then the two Beers woke M and began
To talk earnestly together, as though they
were debating something hetly.
Slowly the huge red ball of the sun sank to-
war; '' 'fttffttt. SSeeltD tfis EARN ana ShN ID
blood About hundred wards from where
they sat tie little bride path that branched
from the main road crossed the crest Of one
of the great land waves that rolled away in
every direction toward the far horizon. John
watched the sun sinking behind it till some
thing called away his attention for minute.
When be looked up again there was figure
on horseback, standing quite still upon the
crest of the ridge in the full glow of the now
disappearing sun 1t was Frank Muller.
John recognized him in n moment His horse
was standing sideways, so that even at that
distance every line of his features. even tho
trigger guard of the rifle that rested on his
knee, showed distinctly against the back
ground of smoky red Nor was that all
Both be and his horse had the appearance of
being absolutely on fire. Tho effect produced
was so weird and extraordinary that John
called his companions attention to it. She
looked and shuddered involuntarily.
I"He looks like devil in hell" she said;
fthe fire seems to be running all up and down
him"
well" said John, "be certainly is DEVIL
but am sorry to say that he has not vet
reached his destination Here be comes, like
q whirlwind"
In another twenty seconds Muller had
refined the great black horse on 10 his
Launches alongside Of them, and was smiling
sweetly and taking OF his hat
you see | have managed TO keep nv
word, he said II can tell you that had
great difficulty in doing so; indeed, ! was
nearly obliged 10 give the thing up at the
last moment. However, here ! am
h. ,
jess. AT Standerton.n
No" he said; Il am afraid thai Is moro
than l con manage for YOU, unless you can
persuade the English officer there to str-en-
der. What have arranged Is that We should
cross the Vaal at a drift know about two
hours twelve miles from here. and 0ut5pan
at farm On the other side Do not trouble,
l assure you YOU shall both sleep well To-
night. and he smiled somewhat terrifying
smile, jess thought
But how about this drift, Mr. MullerF'
said John Is it safe | should have
thought that the Vaal would have been in
food after all the rain that we have had
The drift Is perfectly safe, Capt Mel l
crossed it myself about two hours ago.
know you have had a bad opinion Of me, but
! suppose YOU do not think that | should
guide YOU to an unsafe drift" and with an.
other bow be rode on TO speak to the two
Beers, saving, "a he went "Will YOU tell the
knffir 10 put the horses inF'
With shrug of his shoulders John rose and
went off toward Mouti, to help him 20 drive
up the four grays, who were now standing
Imply together. biting at the flies that, be
fore storm, sting more sharply than at any
other time. The two horses belonging 10 the
escort were some fifty PAGES to the left. 1t
was as though they appreciated the position
OF affairs, and declined to mix with the ami
mails Of the discredited Englishman
The two Beers rose as Muller came and
walked off toward their horses, Muller
slowly following them As they came the
horses hobbled away another thirty yards or
50. and then lifted up their heads, and. as a
consequence, their fore legs, 10 which the
heads were tied, and stood looking defiantly
at their captors, for all the world as though
they were trying to make up their minds
whether or not to shake hands with them.
Frank Muller was alongside the two men
now, and they were alongside the horses
"Listen!r be said, sternly.
The men looked up.
go on loosening the reins, and listen =
They obeyed. and began 10 slowly fun BILE
at the knee haters
You understand what our orders are Re
peat them-youl'
The man with the tooth who was addressed
still handling the rein, began as follows: 20
take the two prisoners to the VaaI, to force
them into the water where there is no drift,
at night, 50 that they drown if they do not
drown 10 shoot them -
Those are the orders, said the Wider
beesue, grinning
You understand them
@We understand, menheer: but. forgive
US the matter is big one You gave the
orders-we wish TO see the authority
Yah, yah, said the other, ''show us the
authority. These two harmless people
enough Show US the authority for killing
them People must not be killed so even if
they are English folk, without proper au-
thority, especially when one is pretty girl
who would do for mans Wife
Frank Muller set his teeth mice fellows
you are to have under one'T he said Il am
your officer. what other authority do you
WANT But / thought of this. See here,7
and he drew a paper from his pocket, Here
you-read it, Careful now-do not let them
see from the wagon"
The big, fabby faced man took the paper
and. still bending down over the horses
knees, read aloud:
THE two prisoners and their servant ian
Englishman, an English girl and Zulu
kaffirl to be executed IN pursuance of our de
cree, as your commanding officer shall order,
Is enemies OF the republic. For so doing this
shall he yOTIr warrant
you see the signature said Muller, "and
you do not dispute it:7
yah, we see it, and we do not dispute it :"
"Good. Give me back the warrant"
The man with the tooth was about to do 50,
when bis companion interposed
No. he said, "the warrant must remain
with us. / do not like the job. If it we're
only the man and the kaflir now-hut the
girl, the girl If we give you back the war
rant, what shall we have to show for the
deed of bloodl The warrant must remain
with us"
yah, yah; he is right" said the Unicorn;
"the warrant must remain with us. Put it in